Expanding coach



June 21, 1932. R E LAWHORNE 1,864,047

"EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 SheetsmSheet 1 June 21, 1932.- R.E. LAWHORNE EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WINJune 21, 1932. R. E. LAWHORNE 1,864,047

EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 2 v 8 8 98 oz 0 00 1 53 L f! 10 7 103 7/ I 2 3 102 17 June 21, 1932. 4 LAWHORNE 1,864,047

EXPANDING COACH Filed April 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 21,1932 PATENT: OFFICE- ROY E. LAWHQBNE, OI SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIAEXPANDING OOAGE Application filed April 2, m1. Serial Io. 527,145.

This invention relates to vehicle body constructions, and has for anobject the provision of a body adaptedto be mounted optionally upon thechassis of an automobile or upon that of a trailer, and in whichsleeping accommodations are provided.

Another object is to provide a body construction as described, which isadapted to be collapsed into compact form when traveling and to beextended into that position in which the sleeping accommodations may beused when the vehicle is at rest.

A further object is to provide an expanding coach or vehicle body asdescribed, which is also provided with a storage compartment including acabinet having a plurality of drawers, ice compartment, sink, and thelike, thus providing space for the accommodation of the articlesrequired during an extended tour or camping trip.

A further object is to provide a novel mechanism for moving theadjustable portions of the coach body to and from extended position.

A still further object is to provide a top adapted to rest upon theremainder of the coach body in compact arrangement when the body iscollapsed, and means for raising the top to elevated position, as thecoach body is expanded.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some ofwhich, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the inventions particular embodiments which areillustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of thespecification.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an expandprinciples of the presentinvention, and mounted upon a conventional trailer chassis. This figureshows the coach body in expanded arrangement, and a portion of thefigure is broken away to disclose the interior construction.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, but show ing the body collapsed.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal medial vertical sec ing coach constructed inaccordance with the the interior of the bed 14. Preferably, eac

tional view taken through the coach body in expanded relation.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through the body incollapsed relation.

- Fig. 5 is an end elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 5 ofFig. 3, this view showing the coach expanded.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but with the coach collapsed.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing a slightly modified form of myexpanding coach, this figure showing the expanding coach mounted upon aconventional automobile chassis, and showing the coach in expandedrelation.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showing the coach body collapsed.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a coach body adaptedto be collapsed for transportation, to exceedingly compact form, or tobe extended when it is desired to employ the coach for sleeping,dressing, and the like. Sleeping accommodations are provided for atleast two people, althou h accommodations for a greater number 0 personsmay be rovided if desired. The coach is so deslgne that its, adjustableparts may be moved to or from extended position with the utmost ease andm a comparatively short space of time, and a cabinet is provided insidethe coach, wherein a large variety and number of articles mayconveniently be stored.

Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, show the expanding coach of the presentinvention mounted upon the chassis 11 of a trailer supported upon two 35wheels 12, which are connected to the chassis 11 through the expedientof suitable springs 13 in the usual manner. The coach body comprises abed-14, which is adapted to be secured upon the chassis 11 in a mannerthat will be readily understood by anyone skilled in the art to whichthis invention appertains.

The bed 14 comprises a floor 16, with front, side and rear walls 17, 18,and 19, respectively, extending upwards therefrom. 'Preferably a section21 of the rear wall 19 is hinged, as indicated at 22, to permit itsbeing dropped to substantially the position illustrated upon Fig. 1,thereby permitting easier access to "m of the side walls 18 of the bed14 is'cut away, as indicated at 23, to provide a suitable recess for theassociated wheel 12, the adjacent portion of the floor 16 of the bedalso being cut away for a distance suflicient to establish the,necessary clearance.

which the coach body is secured. This is the manner in which theapertures at the side edges of the coach body are closed in themodification illustrated upon Figs. 7 and 8.

Inasmuch as these partitions or mud guards, as the case might be,project for a material distance into the interior of the bed 14, Iprefer to provide compartments 26 at the sides of the bed 14, extendingpreferably throughout the entire length thereof and containing thesepartitions or mud guards, thereby avoiding the necessity of permittingthese portions of the coach to project into the interior of the bed 14and interfere with the movements of a person or persons thereinside.Moreover. the compartments 26 may be provided with hinged lids 27,permitting access to the interior thereof. with the result that thecompartments may be employed for the storage of food, tools. and thelike.

Side sections 28 and 29 are hinged to the bed 14 for movement about axesextending longitudinally of the bed. Each of the sections 28, 29 isconnected by hinges 31 to the upper edge of the associated side wall 18.with the result thatthe axis about which each of the side sections maybe swung outwards, lies substantially within the lower, outer corner ofthat section.

Each of the side sections 28, 29 comprises an -outer wall 32, an upperwall 33, and end walls 34. thus leaving the interior open for theaccommodation of a couch 36 of any suitable design, preferably asuitable coil spring mattress construction of such dimensions that it isadapted to be received within the side section and secured to the innerface of the outer wall 32. Hence, when the coach body is in collapsedrelation, the couches 36 are disposed vertically, as illustrated uponFig. 4, and when the coach is in expanded relation, with the sidesections 28 and 29 swung outwards to the position illustrated upon Fig.1,

- the couches 36 are disposed horizontally. The

parts are so proportioned that each couch 36 is adapted to accommodateat least one person in reclining position, although the couches may beconstructed wider if desired, so as to accommodate a greater number ofpersons.

The side sections 28 and 29 are of such proportions that when the coachbody is collapsed the inner edges of the top walls 33 and endwalls 34 ofthe two sections abut each 5 other, as clearly shown upon Figs. 2 and 4,

the combined width of the two side sections.

However, when the side sections 28, 29 are swung outwards, the top 41 iselevated thereabove a suflicient distance to permit a person to standerect upon the floor 16, without danger of striking his head against anyportion of the top 41. The meansfor elevating the top 41 as the sidesections 28 and 29 are swung outwards, comprises a link 42 pivoted tothe ends of the top 41 adjacent each corner by any suitable pivot pin43. The lower end of each link 42 is pivoted by a pin 44 to one of theend walls 34 adjacent the inner, lower corner thereof, with the resultthat when the coach body is collapsed, the links incline downwards andinwards from the side edges of the top 41, as clearly shown upon Fig. 2.As the side sections 28 and 29 swing outwards, however, the inner, lowercorners thereof become elevated, swinging upwards and outwards to theposition illustrated upon Fig. 1, thus causing the links 42 to be pushedupwards, elevating the top 41. Side curtains 46, preferabl provided withend curtains 47, are connecte along their upper edges to the side edgesof the top 41 and along their lower edges to those edges 480i the topwalls 33 of the side sections 28 and'29 which are uppermost when theside sections are extended. Moreover, the side curtains 46 are of suchproportions that they are stretched relatively taut when the coach isfully extended.

Means are provided for swinging both side sections 28 and 29simultaneously to or from extended position. A tubular screw 51 isjournaled in vertical position at one end, preferably-the forward endgofthe bed 14 by means of a suitable journal 52 mounted upon the frontwalli17 of thebed 14 by a strap 53. Collars 54 and 56 hold the screw 51against axial movement with respect to the journal 52, but permit freerotation of the screw. A crosshead 57 is threaded upon the screw 51 insuch a manner that it is adapted to be moved up or down as a result ofrotation of the screw 51 in the proper direction. Wings 58 extend uponopposite sides ofthe crosshead 57 and to each of the wings 58 a link 59'is pivoted, as by a pin 61. A bell crank 62 is pivotally mounted uponthe bed 14 upon each side of the journal 52, by means of a suitablepivot pin 63 rigid with the bed 14. The outer end of one leg 64 of eachbell crank 62, has the lower end of one of the links 59 connectedthereto, as by a pivot pin 66, and the outer end of the other leg 67 ofthe bell crank has another link 68 pivoted thereto, as'by a pin 7 69.The opposite end of each of the links 68 their respective side sections,and at a point,

spaced from the axis of rocking movement thereof.

Thus, it may be seen that when the crosshead 57 is raised from theposition indicated upon Fig. 6, it im oses tension upon the two links59, causing th bell cranks 62 to be swung upwards and outwards in rotarymovement about their respective pivot pins 63.

.This causes the two links 68 to be thrust outwards, whereby the sidesections 28 and 29 are pushed outwards in pivotal movement about theirrespective axes at their lower, outer corners. When the crosshead 57 isdrawn downwards, compression is, imposed upon the links 59, causing thebell cranks 62 to be] swung inwards, imposing tension upon the links 68,whereby the side sections 28 and 29 are rocked inwards until theirouterwalls 32 are disposed vertically and in alinement with the sidewalls 18 of the bed 14. Inasmuch as the top 41 is connected to the sidesections 28 and 29 by the links 42, as hereinabove described, the topwill be raised and lowered simultaneously with extension and retraction,respectively, of the side sections hicle.

28 and 29. A guide rod 76 is connected at its upper end to the top 41and extends downwards to have its lower end slidably disposed in thetubular screw 51, with the result that this rod serves as a guide tohold the top 41 directly over the central portion of the bed 14 duringraising and lowering of the top.

Of course, when the top 41 is in fully raisedposition, it is retainedagainst lateral movement with respect to the remainder of the coach bodyby means of the side curtains 46.

I prefer to provide means accessible at the rear end of the vehicle foroperating the screw 51. Hence, a bevel gear 77 is secured to the lowerend of the screw 51, and is engaged by another bevel gear 78 which iscarried by a shaft 79 extending longitudinally of the ve- This shaft 79,which is journaled in suitable bearings 81, is adapted to receive acrank 82 at the after end of the vehicle, whereby rotation may beimparted to the crank 79, and through the expedient of the gears 78 and.77, to the elevating screw 51.

Any suitable draft connection, such as a tongue 83, is rigidly securedto the forward end of the chassis 11 or the bed 14, whereby the trailermay be connected to any suitable towing vehicle.

Inside the coach body, and at the forward end of the bed 14, a cabinet86 is constructed. This cabinet is provided with a plurality of drawers87, preferably having snap catches 88, whereby the drawers are securelyheld closed except when the catches are released. Preferably, a sink 89is formed at the top of the cabinet 88, and provided with a drain 91leadingldownwards through the cabinet and throug the floor 16 of the bed14. A refrigerator compartment 92 is also provided in the cabinet 86,and the ice pan 93 of the refrigerator 92 is also provided with a drain94, which preferably leads into the drain 91 of the sink 89. The cabinet86 is narrower than the bed 14 by an amount equal to the combinedthickness of the two couches 36, with the result that when the sidesections 28 and 29 are folded inwards, the cabinet 86 will not interferewith the couches, and will thus permit swinging the side sections tofully collapsed position, as clearly illustrated upon Fig. 4.

Brackets are provided for supporting the side sections 28 and 29 inextended position. At least one bracket 96 is provided for each sidesection, and each bracket 96 comprises a leg 97 which extendstransversely of the outer wall 32 of the associated section, and ispivotally secured to the outer face thereof by means of a pair of alinedstraps 98. The upper end of the leg 97 extends beyond the upper edge ofthe side walls 32, and is provided with a finger 99 which extendsangularly from the leg 97 to be removably receivable within a seat 101in the form of a notch inthe side edge of the top 41, whereby the top 41is pressed firmly down. upon that side section. Another leg 102 extendsperpendicularly from the lower end of the leg 97, but in a planeperpendicular to that of the finger 99, so that when the finger 99extends into the seat 101, the leg 102 extends in a plane parallel tothat of the side Wall- 32. By pulling the leg 102 outwards from the'sidewall 32 into perpendicularity therewith, 90 of rotation may be impartedto the leg 97, withdrawing the finger 99 from its seat 101, therebyreleasing the top and placing the leg 102 in such position that when theassociated side section is swung out wards, the leg 102 will engage theassociated side w ll 18 of the bed 14, thereby providing a brac et forthe support of the associated side wall. Preferably, an angularlyextending brace-103 connects the leg 102 with the leg 97, to increasethe rigidity of each bracket.

Figs. 7 and 8 show an expansible coach body 106 similar to that whichhas already been described, with theexception that instead of beingmounted upon a trailer chassis, it is carried by the chassis 107 of aconventional automobile 108.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as hereindisclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scopeof theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured toa chassis, side sections. extending longitudinally of said bed andhinged thereto for movement about their lower outer corners, eachof saidside sections comprisng an outer wall, end walls,

and a top wall, and the inner edges of the end walls and the top wallsof said sections abut-ting each other when in collapsed position, meansfor supporting said side sections in extended position with said outerwalls disposed horizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wallof at least one of said sections, a top corresponding in width to thecombined width of said side sections and adapted to rest upon said topwalls when said side sections are in collapsed position, means forsimultaneously swinging said side sections outwards to extendedposition, and a plurality of links for raising and supporting said top,each of said links being pivoted at one end to said top adjacent a. sideedge thereof and at its other end adjacent an inner lower corner of oneof said side sections.

2. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured toa chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hingedthereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said sidesections comprising an outer wall, end walls, and a top wall, and theinner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abuttingeach other when in collapsed position, means for supporting said sidesections in extended position' with said outer walls disposedhorizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at leastone of said sections, and means for swinging said sections to and fromextended position, comprising cranks pivotally mounted at an end of saidbed, a link pivoted to each crank and to the associated side section, acrosshead, a link connecting each crank to said crosshead, and means formoving said crosshead.

3. A vehicle body construction comprising a.bed adapted to be secured toa chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hingedthereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said sidesections comprising an outer wall, end walls, and a top wall, and theinner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abuttingeach other when in collapsed position, means for supporting said sidesections in extended position with said outer walls disposedhorizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at leastone of said sections, and means for swin ing said sections to and fromextended position. comprising a vertical screw, a crosshead threadedthereon, links pivoted to opposite sides of said crosshead, a crankpivoted to said bed on each side of said screw, each of said links beingpivoted to one of said cranks at one end thereof, a link pivoted to theother end of each of said cranks and to the associated side section, andmeans for turningsaid screw.

4. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured toa chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hingedthereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said sidesections com rising an outer wall, end walls, and a top walfand theinner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abuttingeach other when in collapsed position,.means for su porting said sidesections in extended position with said outer walls disposedhorizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at leastone of said sections, and means for swinging said sections to and fromextended position, com rising a vertical screw, a crosshead threadsthereon, links pivoted to opposite sides of said cross head, a crankpivoted to said bed on each side of said screw, each of said links beingpivoted to one of said cranks at one end thereof, a link pivoted to theother end of each of said cranks and to the associated side section,adjacent the outer wall thereof at a point spaced from the axis of itsmovement, and means for turning said screw.

5. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured toa chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed and hingedthereto for movement about their lower outer corners, each of said sidesections comprising an outer wall, end walls, and a top 7 wall, and theinner edges of the end walls and the top walls of said sections abuttingeach other when in collapsed position, means for sup orting said sidesections in extended position with said outer walls disposedhorizontally, a couch on the inner face of the outer wall of at leastone of said sections, and means for swinging said sections to and fromextended posit1on, comprising a vertically extending tubular screw itcrosshead threaded thereon, links pivoted to opposite sides of saidcrosshead, a crank pivoted to said bed on each side of said screw, eachof said links being pivoted to one of said cranks at one end thereof, alink pivoted to the other end of each of said cranks and to theassociated side section, means for turning said screw, and a guide rodsecured at its up er end to said top and slidably disposed within thebore of said tubular screw. 7 v

6. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed adapted to be secured toa chassis, side sections extending longitudinally of said bed beyond theupper edge of the wall, a detent 1 tion or to folded position substantiaon the outer end of said leg receivable within a seat in the edge ofsaid top to lock the top against the associated side section, and asecond leg extending angularl from the first 5 mentioned leg, saidbracket ing adapted to be swung with said second leg lying optionallyadjacent the plane of said side wall or perpendicularly thereto inposition to engage the side wall of said bed when the associated msidesection is in extended position.

7. A vehicle body construction comprising a bed, side sections hin edalong their lower Y outer corners to the e ges of said bed and adaptedto swing optionally to extendedlposiy in abutment with each otherthereby defining a box-like structure, a top substantiall correspondingin size to the top of said ox-like structure and adapted to restthereon, means 20 for raising said top when said sections are extendedand for lowering said top onto said box-like structure when the sectionsare folded, and a bracket hinged to each of said side sections andadapted to swing optionally against the outer faces thereof, eachbracket having a leg adapted to engage said bed when the associated sidesection is swung outwards, and each bracket having a finger adapted toengage within a notch in said top to clamp the top upon said box-likestructure when th side sections are in folded position.

v In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. 55ROY E. LAWHORNE.-

